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1831 
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REV. MR PUTNAM'8 
ADDRESS, 

FOURTH OF JULY, 1831. 



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The Pilirriin Fathers and American Independence. 



ADDRESS 



SABBATH SCHOOL. CHIIiDREN 
IN DUNBARTON, 

M^elivered ^itlyi 4, 1831. 



BY JOHN M. PUTNAM, 

Pastor of the Congregational Church in that place. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 



FRINTF.B BY mVaHLAND AND Ef.A, 

1831. 



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ADDRESS. 



The occasion on which we are assembled is one of pe- 
cuhar interest. It is the anniversary of our nation's birth ; 
the day on which this infant people cast off their yoke of 
tyranny, and proclaimed themselves free and independent. 
Surely every American citizen, in whose bosom glows the 
love of liberty, will hail this day with joyful emotions. It 
is a day on which thanksgiving and the voice of melody 
should ascend from a thousand choirs, and the incense of 
pure devotion and holy gratitude rise from ten thousand 
altars. 

But it is not simply the day we celebrate, which inspires 
this occasion with so much interest. It is rather the new 
7node of celebrating it ; the exchange we have made of the 
roar of cannon for the voice of prayer ; the exchange we 
have made of mirth and wine, folly and licentiousness, for 
the rejoicings of piety — the devotions of the house of God. 

Nor is this all. The occasion is rendered peculiarly 
interesting in view of the character of the assembly to be 
addressed ; an assembly, not of reverend sages, or learned 
civilians and statesmen, — but of Sabbath School children 
— an assembly of young immortals who are associated to- 
gether for the study of the Bible, and who are fitting, by 
Sabbath School instruction, for the high employments of 
heaven. It is to such an assembly as this, that I am called 
briefly to relate the story of our forefathers, and of our 
national independence. 

And here perhaps I owe an apology, for not writing in a 
style more adapted to the infant mind ; yet it is hoped that 
what I shall say will not prove uninteresting to my youth- 
ful audience. 



4 

How precious, dear children, are the privileges which a 
gracious God is conferring upon you ! How inestimable 
the price which is put into your hands to get wisdom. It 
may, I think, be truly said, that no spot in this wide world 
is so highly favored as that which constitutes your country. 
Here the tree of liberty has been planted in a congenial 
soil, and here religion flourishes in all its beauty and love- 
liness. Here no tyrant shakes over your head his iron rod, 
and no Romish priesthood is commissioned to take away 
your Bibles and leave you in ignorance of your duty and 
your God. But in this happy country, you enjoy, in a high 
degree, both civil and religious freedom. What gratitude 
do you owe to the Father of mercies ! While multitudes 
of children in other parts of the world, have no Bibles, no 
Testaments, no Sabbath School instruction, no means of 
acquiring a knowledge of the true God and the way of 
salvation — you are blessed with all these privileges. From 
Sabbath to Sabbath you may assemble in the house of God, 
recite the lessons of inspiration, and listen to the voice of 
instruction and the sound of prayer, having none to molest 
or to make you afraid. 

And how came you in possession of these privileges .'' 
Why is it that you, more than others, are thus signally fa- 
vored .'' Why are you in the enjoyment of civil and reli- 
gious freedom, and so richly furnished with the means of 
grace ? 

Let me tell you, my young friends, that a large share of 
your present blessings, is owing, under God, to the piety of 
your ancestors. 

You have doubtless heard that your forefathers came from 
England ; a country far off over the great waters, three 
thousand miles east, and that they commenced the settle- 
ment of this country when it was nothing but a wilderness. 
The goodly fields which your fathers now cultivate, and the 
pastures where their flocks feed and their cattle range, 
were one wide forest. When they came to this country, 
one might stand and look towards the north or the south 



5 

the east or the west, and instead of beholding, as now, 
towns and villages, and flourishing fields, nothing would 
meet the eye but vast uncultivated wood-lands, where the 
toot of civilized man had never trodden ; but where it was 
inhabited only by savages and wild beasts of prey. 

Now what do you think could induce our fathers to leave 
their country and their homes, and take up their abode in 
this wilderness? They had possessions at home. They 
had in the country from which they came, houses and lands, 
and flocks, and herds and cultivated fields at their com- 
mand ; and why did they leave all, and come and take up 
their residence in this inhospitable clime ? 

It was for the sake of PvELIGION. It was for the 
peaceable enjoyment of the rights of conscience. Our 
forefathers were eminent for their piety. They loved reli- 
gion more than every thing else ; more than all the honors, 
or riches, or pleasures, of this world. And in England 
they could not enjoy their religion in peace. They were 
persecuted for righteousness' sake, — were not permitted to 
worship God as their consciences dictated. And rather 
than give up the rights of conscience — rather than submit 
to the restraints imposed on their religion by the civil pow- 
er, they relinquished their homes, and sought an asylum, a 
resting place, in this then howling wilderness. 

They did not, however, come directly from England to 
America. At first they sailed for Holland, a country a short 
distance east of England, and the only State in Europe 
that at that time tolerated religious freedom. Here they 
remained for a considerable time ; but fearing lest their 
offspring should be corrupted by the licentious Hollanders, 
and that by mingling with the Dutch, they should at length 
lose their character as a religious community, — they turned 
their attention towards this new world, as the most promising 
field in which to promote their religion, and perpetuate their 
pious institutions. 

Having committed their way unto the Lord, and having 
humbly sought his favor by keeping days of fasting and 



6 

prayer, they formed the noble design of establishing a col- 
ony on this western continent ; and in July, 1G20, they set 
sail for England, for the purpose of obtaining the necessary 
grants from the King.* In the August iollovving they em- 
barked for America. Various were the difficulties which 
beset their way. But their trust was in Grod, and having 
him for their Protector, they encountered with fortitude all 
the dangers of the deep. Twice were they obliged to re- 
turn, because one of their vessels was so leaky that they 
could not proceed with safety. At length, after several 
weeks delay, they were crowded into a single vessel, and 
took their final departure from England, in the month of 
September, 1620. 

Perilous indeed was their passage across the Atlantic. 
Now, they lie all becalmed, not a breath of air to expand 
their sails or waft them on their passage. Anon, they wit- 
ness the gathering storm, and feel the rocking of the tem- 
pest. The winds accost them with frightful roar, and the 
angry flood, as it dashes upon their vessel's deck, seems 
ready to sweep them away, as with the besom of destruc- 
tion. From wave to wave they are tossed — now ingulfed, 
and now mounting to the heavens — every billow threatening 
them with speedy ruin. Long were they exposed to all the 
dano"ers of the deep ; numerous and protracted were their 
trials as they rode upon the watery element. The heavenly 
bodies rolled on in their circuits, and days, weeks, and 
months, passed away, ere any land presented itself on which 
to rest the eye. At length winter comes, and they are still 
upon the ocean's bosom, with a scanty supply of provisions, 
and nearly worn out with fatigue. The bleak winds of De- 
cember howl through the rigging of their feeble vessel, and 
seem like the presages of coming death. 

* The English government claimed the right to settle these shores, and 
our ancestors, before they could establish a colony here, were obliged to 
obtain liberty from the King, James I., who gave them his letters patent, 
promising not to interfere with their religion, provided they would de- 
mean themselves as his good and faithful subjects. 



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Such were our fathers' perils, ere they reached this laii<I — 
ere their eyes beheld the wished for shore. But in " six 
troubles" God was their deliverer, and in " seven" he did 
not forsake them. Their hope was indeed long deferred ; 
but they finally arrived on the coast of New England, and 
were permitted, December 22, 1620, to set their weary (eet 
on the rock of Plymouth. This rock, on which our fathers 
disembarked, is still to be seen at Plymouth, Mass. not far 
from forty miles south of Boston. In 1774, it was taken 
from the sea shore and removed to the centre of the town. 

Having safely arrived, our ancestors raised a spiritual 
monument. Like Samuel of old, they erected their Ebe- 
nezer, saying, " hitherto hath the Lord helped us," They 
thus erected an altar, on the very spot of their landing, and 
offered up to heaven their spiritual sacrifices to the Most 
High. 

Without shelter, without means of support, and surround- 
ed by dangers both seen and unseen, they unitedly commit- 
ted themselves to their Almighty Preserver, rendering 
thanksgiving and praise to Him who " guides the whirl- 
wind and directs the storm," for his protection when far oft 
upon the sea, and imploring his future care, assistance and 
grace. 

In this devout and pious manner did our fathers com- 
mence the settlement of New England. Even before their 
landing, they entered into a solemn contract concerning the 
basis of their government ; and, in this instrument they ex- 
pressly declared, that they had undertaken this voyage for 
the glory of God, and the advancement of the christian re- 
ligion. 

The piety of these godly men, which had sustained them 
upon the ocean, was however again speedily put to the test 
by untoward and perilous circumstances. Before them was 
a long and dreary winter, the inclemency of which they 
were ill prepared to sustain. In a cold climate, with scan- 
ty provisions, and no shelter except the miserable huts which 
they had hastily put up when almost exhausted with fa- 



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tigiie — in this situation, they were visited with distressing 
sickness : and so fatally did disease rage, that before the 
opening of the following spring, nearly half their number 
were swept away by the hand of death. Still they were 
not disheartened. Still the fire of their devotion glowed 
unremitted. Conscious of the purity of their motives, they 
manifested no disposition to yield to discouragement. The 
language of their hearts was, " The Lord reigneth, let the 
earth rejoice." " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." 

The Plymouth colony, thus establislied, after the first se- 
vere shock of adversity was over, soon began to prosper, and 
to attract the attention of England, the parent country ; 
and they were soon joined by other pious emigrants from 
various parts of the old world. Ministers of the Gospel, 
eminent for learning and piety, came over to establish 
churches, and otherwise to exert their influence for the pro- 
motion of the interests of religion. The colony became an 
asylum for the oppressed. Those who were persecuted for 
righteousness' sake, fled in great numbers for refuge to this 
country, where they could live in the undisturbed enjoyment 
of religious freedom. 

In 1640, it was estimated that four thousand persons from 
the old country had arrived to these shores. These, in con- 
nexion with the children of the first settlers, afforded a suf- 
ficient population to begin the settlement of a considera- 
ble number of new towns ; and at this period were laid the 
foundations of Salem, Charlestown, Dorchester, Boston, 
Roxbury, Lynn, and Watertown. Something had also been 
done for the promotion of the sciences. Harvard College 
had been founded, 1638, and dedicated to Christ and the 
church ; and some other institutions had been established, 
calculated to promote the civil and religious good of the 
community. 

Before the close of the century, and within the space of 
eighty years from the time the fathers came over to this 
country, there were a hundred and twenty-six towns, in 
nearly all <>( which were settled ministers of the Gospel. 



9 

The colonists made it a special ouject to iiave a learned, 
pious and faithful ministry established, wherever they com- 
menced the settlement of a new town. They thus laid the 
foundation of this republic deep in the })r!nciples of reli- 
gion. It was religion which brought them to this land, and 
the grand object of promoting the advancement of its best 
interests, was pursued by them with a degree of wisdom 
and zeal worthy the holy cause. It was that they might 
peaceably enjoy their religion, that they separated them- 
selves from all earthly good in their native land ; that they 
braved the dangers of the deep, with all the horrors and 
desolations of this wilderness ; and no pains were spared, 
after their establishment in this country, to perpetuate their 
religious institutions. 

Our forefathers were eminently holy men. Their chief 
concern was to worship and serve God ; and they not only 
made judicious provisions for public worship, but for the 
religious education of their children, in all succeeding gen- 
erations. 

In this early period of our country, the morals of the 
people at large were wonderfully pure. It is said that for 
nearly one hundred years after the settlement of New-Eng- 
land was commenced, ardent spirits were scarcely known 
here.* A pious emigrant who had lived in this country 
seven years, publicly testified, after his return to England, 
that during the whole of his seven years' residence among 
this people, he had never seen a man drunk, nor heard a 
profane oath. A godly minister of this period also re- 

* So sparingly were spirituous liquors used by the early settlers, that 
when a merchant in one of the principal villages in New England, (as 
history relates) first brought to the place a barrel of rum, to deal out 
among his customers, the inhabitants were greatly alarmed in view of the 
probable consequences of exposing for sale such an enormous quantity of 
ardent spirit. " What !" said they, " a whole iarrei of rum ! Why, it 
will be the means of destroying our morals and ruining our children." 
And such was the degree of excitement on the subject, that the selectmen 
actually met to consult about what should be done — what measures should 
be taken, to repel the invasion of so terrible a foe. 



io 

marks, that drunkards and profane swearers were not known 
in the land ; and that the civil magistrates were examples 
of piety. The Sabbath was observed with peculiar strict- 
ness, and family prayer was almost universal. A man 
who should neglect to pray in his family would be consid- 
ered little better than a heathen. Dishonesty, fraud, theft, 
and their kindred sins, were of very rare occurrence. A 
higher specimen of purity of morals and godliness of life^ 
was perhaps never exhibited by any community in this im- 
perfect world. 

Such were our ancestors ; and, under their salutary insti- 
tutions, this infant settlement prospered in a degree almost 
unparalleled. 

The prosperity of our country was observed by England, 
and awakened her jealousy ; and a series of oppressions 
was commenced by the parent country against her colonists, 
which eventually caused, on their part, a revolt from the 
British crown. 

You will understand, my young friends, that hitherto 
these settlements did not maintain an independent govern- 
ment, but were subject to the King of Great Britain, and 
were governed only by laws sanctioned by the English Par- 
liament. To this our ancestors did not object. They 
w^ere willing to be under the control of England, provided 
they could enjoy their just rights. But this they were not 
permitted to do.. They had duties and exactions imposed 
upon them, which were too grievous to be endured. Op- 
pression succeeded oppression, and insult followed insult, 
till they were obliged to place themselves in the attitude ot 
resistance. 

Then came the tug of war — the war of the revolution. 
The trumpet gave a certain sound, and our ancestors forth- 
with prepared themselves for battle. 

British soldiers were immediately seen infesting our shores. 
The flag was unfurled, and the cannon commenced its 
frightful roar. 



11 

It was in our own New-England that hostilities com- 
menced. Alarm and terror spread through all her towns 
and villages. The whole comitry was exposed to the deso- 
lating march of foreign troops. Army met army in battle 
array. Fields were covered with the slain, and garments 
were rolled in blood. 

Negotiation was resorted to ; but resorted to in vain. It 
was submission, unreserved submissiorij which alone could sat- 
isfy the haughty foe. 

At length, despairing of ever again living peaceably as 
British subjects, our fathers proclaimed themselves inde- 
pendent. That is to say, they cast off the authority and 
government of England, and assumed the right to govern 
themselves : and, in defence of this position, they pledged 
" their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred lienor ;" re- 
solving in the strength of heaven, to 

" Unite, live free, or die." 

The declaration of independence, for the establishment 
of which our fathers fought and bled, was made July 4, 
1776 ; fifty-five years ago. This is the era of our nation's 
birth. Our nation is just fifty-five years old this day. Be- 
fore this period, our country was a mere colony of Great 
Britain. Now, it assumed its rank among the nations of 
the earth, as free and independent. 

This struggle with England for the establishment of our 
liberties, lasted seven years, and is called the revolutionary 
war. It was an enterprise full of doubt and hazard. Dark- 
ness, thick darkness, hung around our country's prospects. 
But the God of battles raised up a WASHINGTON to lead 
her armies ; and under defence of the Almighty's shield, 
she marched on to victory and glory. 

The day on which our country declared herself free, 
forms one of the most important eras on the page of histo- 
ry. For it was then that the very foundations of tyranny 
were shaken, and that there commenced a series of events 
which promises the political emancipation of the world 



12 

It is with the greatest propriety, therefore, that we cele- 
brate this day. It is a day which should never be forgotten. 
It should never cease to be a day of jubilee in our land. 

But while it is so readily acknowledged that this day 
should be celebrated, the question arises, hoiv should it be 
celebrated ? In what way shall we make manifest the joy 
and rejoicings of our hearts on this occasion ^ Shall we do 
it, as in times past, by setting fiie to gun-powder, swinging 
our hats over our heads, and filling the air with huzzas ^ 
JYo. If this is not beneath the dignity of ??2c?j, it is certainly 
inconsistent with the character of Christians. 

Our ancestors came here, as we have seen, for the ad- 
vancement of religion ; and when called to defend their 
invaded rights, they took up arms in the fear of God, and it 
was by the special protection and blessing of the Most 
High, that they came off victorious, and were enabled to 
transmit to us the rich legacy of freedom — the invaluable 
birthright of liberty and independence. All the national 
blessings which we inherit from our fathers are intimately 
connected with religion ; and nothing can be more obvious, 
than that we should celebrate our independence, not in a 
Bacchanalian, but in a religious manner ; not in drunken- 
ness and riot, but in the devotions of the sanctuary. It is 
religion, connected with intelligence, which alone can^er- 
petuaie our independence. 

There are pretended lovers of their country — there are 
those who are called patriots — who look on religion with 
contempt. But such patriots are among the greatest ene- 
mies of their country ; since, without religion, our republic, 
like the republics of old, must crumble into ruin. It is not 
sufficient that a people are intelligent ; Greece and Rome 
were intelligent, yet lost their freedom. There must be 
genuine religion ; it is this alone which can secure to our 
nation permanent prosperity. 

How appropriate, then, is a religious celebration of in- 
dependence ! And how offensive to heaven must be a eel- 



13 

ebration, the principal ingredient3 of which are noise, 
licentiousness and folly. The tendency of such a celebra- 
tion is noiio perpeiuaie, but to destroy our independence. 

Every thing which is calculated to encourage immorality 
and sin, not merely mars the beauty of our republican edi- 
fice, but directly tends to undermine its foundations, and 
produce its overthrow. Let this spirit of licentiousness 
become universal, and there would be an end to self gov- 
ernment, and to all true liberty. 

If we succeed in perpetuating our republican institutions, 
it must be through the controlling influence of the christian 
religion, in connexion with the general diffusion of intelli- 
g(ince. Hence the importance of the national Bible, Mis- 
sionary, Education, and Tract Societies, together with the 
American Sunday School Union, and all other kindred asso- 
ciations. These institutions, which have all come into ex- 
istence during the last twenty-five years, and which embrace 
as their object the promotion of knowledge and piety, I 
regard as the surest pledge of our nation's continued exist- 
ence, prosperity and happiness. These institutions, aiming 
as they do at the universal diffusion of intelligence and vir- 
tue, constitute the brightest ornaments in the diadem of 
our country's glory. 

The Sabbath School begins almost with infancy to instruct 
the rising generation in the principles of the gospel, and to 
infuse into their young and tender minds the love of knowl- 
edge and the spirit of piety ; while the Education Society 
and other institutions, are designed to introduce them into 
the higher walks of literature, and into more extended spheres 
of usefulness. The direct tendency of the whole of this 
moral machinery, as it moves harmoniously onward, is to 
promote the best interests of our country, and render per- 
manent our republic. 

One of the best ways, therefore, which can be devised, of 
celebrating the Fourth of July, is to collect together a 
company of Sabbath School children, encourage them in 



14 

tiitiir laudable course, and for their entertainment, tell them 
the story of the Pilgrims and of our nation's birth. 

Let the political orator, (to borrow the graphic illustra- 
tion of another*) paint before you the temple of liberty, 
supported by Grecian columns, to signify the firmness and 
durability of our constitution, having within it the Genius 
of ximerica, attired in a Republican dress, bearing the akts 
in one hand, and the scrolls of science in the other ; and 
the whole scene graced by the presence of the great father 
of his country, unfolding the declaration of American inde- 
pendence. 

Instead of portraying our nation's stability, perpetuity and 
glory by such a scene as this, I would exhibit before you a> 
very different spectacle. I would point you to the twelve 
thousand Sabbath School children in New- York city, at one 
of their anniversaries, assembled in the open air, worship- 
ping and praising God under the broad canopy of heaven, — 
their countenances beaming intelligence, and their voices fill- 
ing the air with melody, as they chant from their infant books 
the hosannas of the Redeemer. In the devotions of such 
an assembly, we see, as it were, a great cloud of incense 
going right up to heaven ; and well may we conceive that 
such incense will draw down the richest blessings from on 
high. 

It is to such a scene as this, that I would point you as 
the surest pledge of our national prosperity. Or rather, I 
would present before you the whole family of our heaven- 
born institutions, — the Sabbath School indeed taking the 
lead. I would exhibit at one view, the great system of re- 
ligious means now in operation to enlighten and purify the 
nation, and to bless the world. I would show you a vast 
amphitheatre, where the six hundred thousand Sabbath 
School children of America, with their eighty thousand 

* The name of the author of the beautiful representation which follow?, 
is unknown to the writer of this address. The language being altered 
from the original, marks of quotation are omitted. 



15 

teachers with them, sliould be placed (ul'icr the manner of the 
amphitheatres of ancient Pvome) on the ascending seats, 
rank above rank, extending on all sides as far as the eye can 
reach, — with the guardian angels of the other moral and 
religious institutions hovering around, as if to secure from 
these children an early interest in their respective objects. 

As they are engaged in their songs of praise, — a band 
which heaven would delight to view, — let the infidel rage, 
and the revilcr scoff, and call it all delusion. Let them 
cry out, " Fanaticism /" " Priestcraft .'" " Union of Church 
and State 1''^ The infant throng should hear the calumny, 
and answer it only by stiouting in louder strains, " Hosan- 
N\ TO THE Son of David ! Hosanna to the son of Da- 
vid ! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST !" 

My young friends, may this hosanna dwell on your lips, 
both here and in eternity I 

O may you now, on early life, give your hearts to Him 
who, while in earth, took little children into his arms and 
blessed them, and who has gone to prepare a place for all 
good children in the mansions above. He has died to re- 
deem you ; he has shed his own blood that he might wash 
away your stains and fit you for his presence. He now in- 
vites you to his arms, — bids you take up your cross and fol- 
low him ; and, for your encouragement, points you to the 
glories of his kingdom, as the reward of obedience. O 
that you would all listen to his voice, and make him your 
everlasting friend. How delightful the thought, that this 
youthful throng now before me — that all who occupy these 
seats — shall hereafter have seats in heaven, and worship 
around the eternal throne of God and the Lamb ! 

Surely, this is a consummation devoutly to be wished. 
And this glorious consummation may be realized ; yes, chil- 
dren, you may all be saved — every one of you may go to 
heaven — if you will only give your hearts to Christ now, and 
devote vour lives to his service. 



16 

And wHl you not do this ? Will you not, even now, make 
tlie Saviour your refuge, and consecrate to him the very 
morning of your existence ? Then, when the morn of the 
resurrection shall come, and the note of the arch-angel's 
trump shall wake the sleeping dead, you will rise triumphant 
before your Father's throne, and mingle your voices with 
the voices of the innumerable multitude of the saints, in 
anthems of eternal praise ! 



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